The Jan. 8 editorial ("A good-faith attempt to help") regarding Brit Hume's advice to Tiger Woods, a partial-believing Buddhist, asks the question: "How can there exist such a virulent anti-Christian venom in a majority Christian nation?"
The correct answer comes from none other than Jesus Christ himself. John 15:18-19 - "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
As Christians, we have a mandate to throw out a lifeline to all our brothers and sisters. And this is what Brit Hume has done for Tiger Woods. And as a reminder, please reread Luke 9:26.
William Getha
Evans
I understand that well-intentioned people are convinced of the truth of their faith and want to promote ideas to others that are profoundly meaningful to them.
They should try to understand that other people feel the same way about their own faiths, or even no faith at all. To persist in pushing ideas upon others is arrogant and insulting. Show your faith by your life and by your example, not by your condemnations and judgments. There is scripture to back that up, too.
How dare Britt Hume use insult and hate filled Christian words to force Tiger to repent. Can't Hume see Tiger is doing just fine without his "help"? I bet Britt wishes he had the fine relationship with his wife that Tiger is enjoying with Elin.
I believe the AC editors assigned the caption for this letter so I will not address my comment to the author of this letter; BUT, I'd be glad to share my atheism with any of the folks out here that might agree with the caption. Having said this, Constant Reader has written and extremely intelligent response! I'll not detract from it any further. GGpap
I don't see where Bitt Hume was beaten with a 9 iron!
constant_reader: "To persist in pushing ideas upon others is arrogant and insulting." Christians are commanded: "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16 ESV). Christians aren't commanded to keep pushing the good news onto people who reject it. Other Christians and I walk away upon hearing someone say, "I'm not interested." Still, the commandment to spread the good news of salvation in Christ won't be fully obeyed until everybody has had a chance to accept or reject the good news. People can't accept or reject what they haven't heard.
Fundamental, if you and other "Christians" walk away, why, oh why, do I have a constant parade of "Christians" at my door, uninvited and unwelcome, invading my privacy and trespassing on my property?
If you believe in God and die to find out there is none, you will have lost nothing. But if you don't believe in God and die to find out there is one, you will have lost everything.
And when I say "believe in" I mean worship.
In Matthew, Jesus warns his followers not to even give the appearance of piety. Christians would do better to lead by the example of their lives (Hume is twice-married, doesn't that make him an adulterer according to the Bible?) than by their words.
Corgimom, What Christians do have constantly at your door? You may have Jehovah witnesses on occassion, but can you really say "constantly"? Jehovah Winesses beliefs are a little varied from the traditional Christian beliefs. The bottom line is this...Salvation is a free gift given by God when Jesus died on the cross. It is your choice to accept it or to not accept it. As a Christian myself, I know that God loves all of us. Yes, even the atheist and agnostic. God wants what is best for you just as any father wants for all of his children. Have any of the non-believers on here ever even really looked into the Christian faith? Please tell me what about it you find so offensive or intrusive. Everything about Christianity is about living a better, nicer, more loving life. None of us(even Christians) are capable or deserving of the free gift we have received. We are born into sin, but through the grace of God we are saved in the end. Tell me about a better deal than that?
Grouse...Jesus is the only man who has walked this earth and NEVER sinned. Brit Hume never proclaimed to be perfect. But guess what????? Whatever his sin, he shall be forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ. Hume is like all other Christians - a sinner. All of us are sinners and can only try to lead by example. It is not the place for any of us to judge one another. Tiger can consider Hume's advice if he wants. What difference is it to you? What advice do you have for Tiger? I mean what advice would you give that would HELP him in this tragic time in his life?
Yes Deros,,, corgi is right,, they do come to the door uninvited & some have called on the phone, again uninvited..Usually at the time they are trying to build their membership..& I have had 1 lady get kinda mad because I didn't jump to her invitation..That was years back,
My advice to Tiger would be,,"Put your mind back on golf."
Forgiveness begins with Jesus He needs to ask Jesus for forgiveness and then anyone else that he has wronged.
fine relationship???? are you crazy????? he lied and cheated and publicly humiliated her! that is not a fine relationship.
CBBP, I wish he were. He`s just adding up his "political capital" for personal benefit, a money-changer, as it were...
Christianity is supposed to involve a personal relationship with GOD. Not pushing people into your beliefs. Maybe Tiger just doesn't want to be a hypocrite...
Deros, yes, constantly. And it's not just Jehovah's Witnesses. We have several churches in the area that are "reaching out" to the community. I don't want them at my house. I don't want them on my property. I don't want to talk to them. Don't I have that right? I am very happy with my beliefs. I am very happy with my religion. Why don't I have the right to privacy? Isn't that a Constitutional right? It has nothing to do with being a Christian or not being a Christian. And that's the problem- people like you don't get that. It has nothing to do with my faith, I DON"T WANT to be proselytized. Yes, it is arrogant and insulting, and you just did it again. How arrogant of you to think that I'm not a Christian and that you have to tell me about salvation.
seenitb4, I think there is a tad bit of exxageration here. If they got mad because you didn't accept their invitation, then good for you for not accepting. I've been getting uninvited phone calls ever since I've had a phone. That is something we all must deal with if we have phones. I've also had plenty of uninvited guests at the door. So what, that is life. I am not going to condemn the person on the phone or at my door. Let's see... "Tiger, just put your mind back on golf." I think it would be a little difficult after losing your family. For me, I will pray for God's peace for Tiger. Y'all have good day!!
No, that's not life, that's a clear invasion of privacy. Whoever came up with that idea- which, I might add, there is NOTHING in the Bible that says go to their homes and call them on the telephone- was, and is, wrong. And I'm not condemning them either, I am saying HAVE RESPECT for other people and their privacy, and HAVE RESPECT for their beliefs. You don't seem to grasp that.
It's good to share! But let us not forget that religion today is the business side of true faith.
Why is it considered "pushing" someone's "religion" on others when Christians simply share what Jesus Christ means to them and how their lives are enhanced by being Christians? In the early days of our country and until recent years, being a Christian was "popular" but now all those who are found to be shams get the headlines while genuine Christians are assaulted for their beliefs. Believe me, if the true principles of Christianity were expressed by the majority there would be far less trouble in this world. Note that I said TRUE principles because of course like any other "thing" some attempt to use Christianity as their own tool for various reasons. But as the scriptures say, let the wheat and tares grow together and when the harvest comes the harvester will cast the tares into the fire. "Religion" and Christianity are not necessarily one and the same - Christianity is more than a mere "religion". If that atheist had his God made and provided air supply stopped for even five minutes he would cease to be. If mankind could do it our universe would be in turmoil - who keeps it working? We need to be good stewards of our environment-to presume we can control it is audacious.
Have you bothered to read the "real thing"or do you settle for someone else's translation? If you are basing your entire life on a book (and proselytizing the book to me), I'd expect you to put forth a little effort to read it in its original format (Hebrew and Greek). If you're too lazy to do that, why on earth would I care what you have to say about it?
I'd try to share my athiest views with whomever wants to listen, but I honestly don't care what anyone else believes as long as he/she lets me do the same.
Regardless of what everyone is saying about their specific religion, nothing can change a person until that person is ready to change. To be truly forgiven, one must accept the forgiveness that is being offered. I would suggest also that Tiger Woods develop a faith in our living and all being God, because everything that I have learned about Buddhism is that Buddha is nothing more than a large statue. not a spiritual being. One can talk to the wall all day long, but at the end of the day it is still standing there. Forgiveness is a spiritual and psychological event that goes deeper than what could be discussed here.
With all due respect, I think you have a little more reading to do on Buddhism. Your statement was similar to someone else saying that Catholicism is nothing but drinking wine and eating wafers (which is a belief probably held by a few here, as well). Tiger Woods is not the poster child for Buddhism, he was the exception just like Mark Sanford is not the poster child for christianity.
Deros,,, Have U noticed how critical U are of others opinions??The lady did get mad,, she knew me from teenage years,, & because she was also a "teacher" she thought she could tell me what I needed to do..Truth spoken,,& I , just like you, have a right to state my opinion.. Like it or not deros, get over yourself....
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